STEP Board of Directors Skills and Representation Matrix: Self-Assessment
As part of our recruitment of new Directors, candidates are asked to self-identify what competencies, background, and skills they would bring to the STEP Board. The Matrix of Skills and Representation will help ensure a balanced and high-performing Board. Please complete the sections below to personally rate your experience level in each category, with 1 being low and 5 being a high level of experience, knowledge, and appropriate representation with your current employer and/or with your participation in private, public, and not-for-profit boards.
1. Board of Director Experience
Experience in serving on boards and good governance policies.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
2. Business/Corporate Planning Experience
Experience in business/corporate planning
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
3. Leadership Experience
Experience serving as a Committee Chair, or in other positions of leadership.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
4. Export Sector Experience
Experience in conducting business in an international environment.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
5. Committee Experience and Teamwork
Experience with serving on committees and teams.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
6. Strategic Planning and Focus
Experience with planning, evaluating and implementation of a strategic plan. This includes a demonstrated ability to focus on longer term goals and strategic outcomes, as separate from day-to-day management and operational experience.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
7. Government and Member Relations
Experience in strategic government relations and/or member/customer relations management and effective communications.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
8. Human Resource/Executive Performance Review
Understanding of human resource/personnel considerations and issues for executive recruitment, compensation structures, and performance review among boards.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
9. Accounting Knowledge
Understanding of financial reporting, and knowledge of other considerations and issues with the auditing requirements for boards.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
10. Financial/Investment
Understanding of financial operational management and the proper application of internal controls.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
11. Risk Assessment
Experience in the process of identifying principal corporate risk and to ensure that management has implemented the appropriate systems to manage risks.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
12. Organizational Management
Understanding of organizational design and management.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
13. Knowledge of STEP Services
Use of and/or understanding of STEP services i.e.: trade missions(incoming & outgoing), market intelligence, MAP, seminars, etc.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
14. Regulatory and Legal Experience
Experience in regulations and legal matters related to export business or international affairs.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
Sector Representation
15. Agri-value Industry Representation
Experience in production, marketing and export sales of primary food production, food ingredients, food processing, bio-fuels, and/or agricultural-related biotechnology, etc.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
16. Manufacturing Industry Representation
Experience in the production, marketing and export sales of manufactured goods - i.e. agricultural machinery, transportation equipment, mining and energy equipment, etc.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
17. Advanced Technology Industry Representation
Experience in the production, marketing and export sales of information technologies, environmental technologies, telecommunications, advanced electronics and instrumentation, health sciences, etc.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
18. Professional & Service Industry Representation
Experience in the production, marketing, and export sales of professional services, research and innovations services, and other consulting, training, or education services to foreign markets, including possible work on international projects with international financial institutions.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
19. Natural Resource Sector Representation
Experience in the production, marketing, and export sales of natura resources to foreign markets.
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
20. Associate Member Representation
Provides business-to-business services to build the trade and exporting capacity of the province (e.g. experience and services to STEP members in logistics, law, finance, management consulting, IT support, etc.)
*
Low
1
2
3
4
Highest
5
1 is Low, 5 is Highest
Balanced Representation
21. Geographic Location
Acknowledges difference in delivering export and trade development services to rural or remote areas. HQ location, locations(s) of other office/facilities:
*
22. Beyond Canada-USA Markets
Accounts for experience in cross-cultural business, international travel, and exporting to markets beyond Canada and the USA. Markets outside of Canada/US:
*
23. Company Size
Promotes representation from large, medium, and small exporters with difference export service needs. # of Employees:
*
24. Gender
Ensures diversity of representation and perspective Gender (optional):
25. Other Representation
Self-identified other representation:
Contact Information
26. Name
*
27. Title
*
28. Organization
*
29. Date Submitted
*
Example: January 1, 2026
Submit
Should be Empty: